Jesse Biddle promoted to Reading
Jul 14, 2013; Flushing , NY, USA; USA pitcher Jesse Biddle throws a pitch during the 2013 All Star Futures Game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The Philadelphia Phillies number four overall prospect, left-handed pitcher Jesse Biddle, is returning to Double-A Reading.
Biddle’s next start will be Saturday when the Reading Fightin’ Phils take on the Binghamton Mets. Adam Loewen is currently listed to start game one of a double header for Reading Saturday so a game two start is likely for Biddle.
Biddle started 2014 with Reading and struggled with a record of 3-9 and a 5.03 ERA. He was then put on the inactive list so he could have time to clear his mind. He pitched two innings with the Gulf Coast Phillies, faced two batters and gave up a home run while striking out three. Since then, he started two games with Class-A Clearwater. In 10 innings with Clearwater he allowed one earned run on three hits while earning two wins.
Jesse Biddle, a Philadelphia native, was taken in the first round of the 2010 MLB Amateur Draft. Just 22, Biddle has many thinking he could be pitching for the Phillies sometime in 2015.
The MLB.com scouting report compares Biddle to a former Yankees hurler:
"“When he’s on top of his game, Biddle has drawn comparisons to Andy Pettitte, both for his size and his stuff. He can throw his fastball in the low-90s from a three-quarters arm slot. Biddle throws a changeup and a big sweeping curveball, which is his best offspeed pitch. All three of his pitches have a chance to be at least Major League-average offerings.”"
The young lefty will now be teammates with the Phillies top draft pick of 2014, Aaron Nola. Nola now with two starts in Double-A is thought to be one of the first players taken in this year’s draft to reach the big leagues.
The Clearwater Threshers announced Biddle’s promotion on Twitter.
ROSTER MOVE: Jesse Biddle promoted to Reading. P Aaron Baker added from Lakewood.
— Clearwater Threshers Baseball (@Threshers) August 14, 2014
Aaron Baker started the season in the Frontier League. With his latest team, the Lakewood Blue Claws, he went 1-2 with a 4.26 ERA.